I got the Dilly Cafe newsletter yesterday and was happy to see two fantastic events coming soon.

The first is a unique chance to meet and greet with two French female winemakers. Next Monday, 2/28, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Dilly is charging $25 per person for this event. Reservations aren’t required but are highly recommended. Just call 513.561.5233.

Come meet and taste the wines of Catherine Champalou, of Domaine Champalou in the Vouvray appellation of the Loire Valley; as well as Christine Campadieu of Domaine La Tour Vieille , from Collioure in the far-most southwest corner of France’s Mediterranean coast!

Ms. Champalou’s estate specializes in 100% Chenin Blanc wines, the full range from dry to semi-sweet to sparkling. Ms. Campadieu makes dry, rich Grenache cuvées in the sunny southern French tradition, as well as an intense late-harvest Banyuls from the neighboring AOC. We’ll be tasting seven wines in all, and they will be available ($20-40) to be purchased, signed, and taken home!

Next up, Dilly has the Graziano Winemaker Brunch on Wine Festival Sunday (or Hangover Sunday – whatever you might be feeling …). This brunch has become a bit of a tradition. I attended it when it was at the now-defunct Oceanaire. The brunch is Sunday, 3/13 at 11 am (you can do it – it’s not that early) and is $40. This event does require reservations, so call 513.561.5233. Kevin & I will be in Los Angeles, or we would definitely be attending.

We are very pleased to continue an (un)official Cincinnati Wine Festival tradition – the Sunday Winemaker Brunch! Put a capstone on your Wine Festival weekend by joining us to welcome our very special host, Gregory Graziano, for a special five course, six wine brunch on Sunday March 13th at 11am.

Greg is a huge supporter of the Cincinnati Wine Festival. He takes time off from his – not one, but four! – Mendocino County wine projects to visit us here. There are the St. Gregory wines, which specialize in Burgundian varietals; the Monte Volpe and Enotria labels which feature the Tuscan and Piedmontese (respectively) grapes so close to Greg’s heart and family history; and lastly the eponymous Graziano Vineyards label, which features the most “Californian” personality of the bunch, as Zinfandel is about as Californian as it gets! You can find out more about the Graziano family of wines here.

Chef Eric Vice and Sous Chef Phil Kurtz have collaborated with Chef Thom Milliken of The Polo Grill on a delicious menu to pair with Greg’s wines.

So make sure you get yourself to Dilly if not on one, but on both of these fun occasions!